CanucksFirst Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 http://www.bcsoccerweb.com/articles-august/bcsw-aug-14-tice.htm http://www.bclocalnews.com/surrey_area/peacearchnews/sports/26991509.html A One–Way Ticket for Robbie Tice August 14, 2008 Playing soccer professionally has always been Robbie Tice’s dream. The recent Earl Marriott Secondary graduate received a one-way ticket to Scotland as a graduation present to help bring him one step closer to achieving that dream. Four days prior to attending a closed professional trial with Scotland’s Ayr United FC, Tice headed to Vancouver’s airport with one goal in mind-- to sign with a professional football club. With single-minded determination, Tice prepared for this opportunity. During the past two seasons, he was the youngest player on Peace Arch United Men’s Premier team in the Fraser Valley Soccer league, under coach Mark McQueen, as well as playing for the summer’s Pacific Coast Soccer League team. During the past three summers he has headed to England’s Crewe Alexandra FC to train, and last summer for a trial with their Under-18 team. July 6th was the make or break day for a chance to be a part of the Ayr United Football Club. Forty-five minutes into the trial and Tice had impressed enough to be offered a spot with the Scottish Division Two club. “The trial was a game situation and I was playing up front. I thought I was doing very well and I scored a fantastic goal. The ball got crossed in from the right and I took a touch of my thigh and as I turned, I volleyed the ball into the far top-corner from about 20 yards out. When the ball went in, I knew my chances were good.” The following evening, Ayr’s Head Scout, John Somerville, arrived on Tice’s doorstep to have a chat. Without a word, the two headed to the stadium grounds and walked together out onto the pitch. Tice says, “I was a little unsure of what was going on, and there wasn’t much being said, but I thought something good was about to happen.” At Ayr’s historic 100+-year-old Somerset Park Stadium, Tice received an offer to join Ayr United FC, and to begin training with their Under-19 side as soon as possible. Tice said, “I was a bit surprised that they wanted to sign me after only seeing me play once; because these things can take some time, but they obviously liked what they saw and wanted to make me an offer. I knew I had done my job during the trial game and felt like I had impressed, so it was fantastic to hear the news.” Tice had opportunities to go for trials at other clubs throughout Europe, with interest from other clubs in the UK as well as in Holland, but chose to stay with Ayr United. Tice said, “The choice was really an easy one for me. Everything at the club just seemed right from the beginning, the people are all great here, and I know that if I work hard, and prove what I know I am capable of doing, I have a very good chance of getting into the men’s First team by the end of the season. I know that I am going to develop as a player with Ayr and learn what it takes to get to the next level. With some of the other clubs over here, you’re just a number. I know that with Ayr, I’ll be looked after and will be able to start building a solid playing career here.” The Men’s First team will compete in the Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Division Two this season. While the Under 19’s compete in the Irn-Bru Scottish Football League Youth Division and League Cup, as well as the SFA Youth Cup. In the upcoming season, Tice will be up against opposition from clubs throughout Scotland, including Dundee and Queens Park, and possibly Premier League clubs such as Glasgow Rangers and Celtic in cup play. It is an exciting time to join the club, as it is the final year for games at the Somerset Park stadium as Ayr United FC prepares to move into their brand new stadium, and looks to have their best chance in years for promotion to the First Division. “From what I’ve seen everything at the club is headed in the right direction and I believe I have joined one of the top up and coming clubs in Scotland. There are just so many exciting things on the horizon here, and I’ve signed for the club at the perfect time.” The team is currently playing pre-season friendlies in preparation for the upcoming season, and Tice is primed to begin his professional playing career. Tice has already been scoring goals with two so far in pre-season, as well as a goal in the trial. Tice says, “It’s hard to explain how excited I am right now, this is an amazing opportunity for me and it is the start of my life-long dream of playing football professionally in Europe. Everything is off to the perfect start and I feel like I’m playing the best football of my life right now, I can’t wait to see where it all leads.” A new country, a new place to live, a new team, and tremendous excitement await the young Canadian-born soccer player, whose Scottish roots have lured him to his new life on the west coast of Scotland. But the one way-ticket is just a beginning. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackTheBlizzard Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Bit of a stretch to describe Ayr United as professional. Most teams in the Scottish second division are semi-pro and the standard is really not that high. Looks like they are trying to make full-time training possible for some of their squad this season:- http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-sport/tm_headline=ayr-united-hatch-full-time-plan&method=full&objectid=20646713&siteid=73592-name_page.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BringBackTheBlizzard Posted August 17, 2008 Share Posted August 17, 2008 Bit of a stretch to describe Ayr United as professional. Most teams in the Scottish second division are semi-pro and the standard is really not that high. Looks like they are trying to make full-time training possible for some of their squad this season:- http://www.ayrshirepost.net/ayrshire-sport/tm_headline=ayr-united-hatch-full-time-plan&method=full&objectid=20646713&siteid=73592-name_page.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VPjr Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 if he gets full time training, its good but hopefully his stay in the lower divisions of Scottish football is short lived. Onto bigger and better hopefully in a year or so Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Keegan Posted August 18, 2008 Share Posted August 18, 2008 If he can play 1st team football good for him. Should be part of the pool for U20 2009 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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